Evidence for Subsurface Martian Water

Hey Space Placers!

New research by a team from Brown University has developed strong evidence regarding subsurface water flow on Mars in the past. They studied thousands of ridges found in crater-rich regions and came to the conclusion that the ridges were the result of mineral deposits from flowing water. These deposits worked their way into the surrounding rock and were harder thereby causing the ridges to form.

Mineral deposits mark subsurface water flow

A photo taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows ridges formed by fossilized subsurface water flow. Orientation of the ridges, mapped by researchers, is consistent with fractures formed by impact events. Credit: NASA and Mustard Lab/Brown University

This brings up the intriguing possibility of underground lakes, pools, caverns and of course the possibility that conditions could have been right for life. We certainly know on our own planet life is abundant underground in caves and caverns that have water. Such an environment would be less hostile than the surface of the Red Planet.

Read More ABout It: http://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2013/01/marswater

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